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heck

heck

422 7.5
A small amount of care or worry about something
  • noun
  • /hɛk/
  • Informal
translation icon : qué demonios (exclamación)
  • Wait a minute, where the heck is she?
  • a heck of a lot

And boy, this, this one is a heck of an episode.

Examples

Synonyms

damn
vsheck
  • NSFW
6.7

Said to show anger, surprise or annoyance

is a milder exclamation used as a polite substitute for vulgar language
what the hell
vsheck
  • NSFW
347 8.9

An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something

is a milder alternative often used to avoid vulgar language
what the heck
vsheck
  • Informal
90 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

is a short mild exclamation used broadly as a polite substitute
argh
vsheck
  • Informal
67 8.8

A short cry people say when they feel frustrated or annoyed

is milder and used as a calm, polite exclamation rather than an outcry
darn
vsheck
  • Informal
62 6.7

A word people say when they feel annoyed or surprised

is a mild exclamation often used specifically as a euphemistic substitute
holy shit
vsheck
  • Offensive
26 9.9

A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked

is a milder, non vulgar exclamation used for surprise or annoyance
golly
vsheck
  • Archaic
24 9.9

A word people say to show mild surprise

is a modern mild exclamation used broadly as a polite alternative
hah
vsheck
  • Informal
18 8.9

A quick sound that shows scorn or disbelief

is a mild exclamation used mainly for surprise or annoyance rather than scorn
darn it
vsheck
  • Informal
17 8.4

A short phrase people say when they feel frustrated or disappointed

is a general mild exclamation used as a polite alternative to harsher words
damnit
vsheck
  • NSFW
15 8.4

A short angry cry people say when they feel annoyed or frustrated

is milder and used to avoid vulgar or strong language
fucking hell
vsheck
  • Offensive
14 9.9

A strong rude shout people use when they feel very angry or shocked

is a mild exclamation chosen to avoid crude or intense language
gah
vsheck
  • Informal
13 9.9

A short sound people make when they feel frustrated, annoyed, or surprised

is milder and used as a polite substitute rather than a loud outburst
goddam
vsheck
  • Offensive
9 9.9

Adds strong anger or surprise to what you say

is milder and used to avoid offensive emphasis
OMG
vsheck
  • Slang
8 8.5

A short written exclamation people use in messages to show surprise or shock

is a short, mild spoken exclamation used as a polite substitute
gawd
vsheck
  • Slang
4 9.9

A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance

is milder and used as a common euphemism for stronger expletives
blimey
vsheck
  • UK
4 9.5

A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked

is a mild general exclamation used as a euphemistic substitute
egad
vsheck
  • Archaic
3 9.9

An old word people say to show surprise or shock

is a milder modern exclamation used as a polite alternative
geesh
vsheck
  • Informal
2 9.9

An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something

is a short mild exclamation often used as a substitute for stronger words
oh crap
vsheck
  • Informal
1 9.9

Say it when you suddenly feel upset or annoyed about a mistake

is milder and used without vulgarity or strong emphasis
begod
vsheck
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A short old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling

is a nonreligious mild exclamation serving as a polite substitute
goddamnit
vsheck
  • Offensive
1 9.9

People say a strong angry word when they feel very annoyed

is a mild exclamation used as a polite alternative to offensive language
crapola
vsheck
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A short exclamation showing frustration or surprise

is a milder, more common exclamation used as a polite substitute
yike
vsheck
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short word people say to show surprise, discomfort, or embarrassment

is milder and used as a general euphemistic exclamation rather than distress
harrumph
vsheck
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A short gruff sound that shows annoyance or disapproval

is used more for surprise or mild annoyance rather than contempt
oh my heck
vsheck
  • Informal
9.9

A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something

is a short, general mild exclamation used as a euphemistic substitute
wth
vsheck
  • Slang
9.9

A short informal way people use to show surprise, confusion, or disbelief

is the same idea but in brief written form for messages
blooming heck
vsheck
  • UK
9.1

A short shout people use to show surprise or mild annoyance

is a short, mild exclamation typically serving as a polite substitute
uh-oh, Spaghetti-O
vsheck
  • Baby Talk
9.9

A short phrase showing mild surprise or worry said in a playful way

is a general mild exclamation used for surprise or annoyance
yipe
vsheck
  • Informal
9.6

A short cry showing surprise, fear, or excitement

is a mild general exclamation used for surprise rather than alarm
yikes on bikes
vsheck
  • Informal
9.9

A short shout showing surprise, alarm, or disbelief

is a simple mild exclamation used without playful exaggeration
fiddlesticks
vsheck
  • Archaic
9.9

An old-fashioned word people say to show disbelief or annoyance

is a modern mild exclamation used widely as a polite substitute
gadzooks
vsheck
  • Archaic
9.9

An old-fashioned shout to show surprise or annoyance

is milder and used as a common polite substitute for stronger words
bejeezus
vsheck
  • Informal
9.9

A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance

is a nonreligious mild exclamation serving as a euphemistic alternative
consarned
vsheck
  • Archaic
9.9

An old mild word people say when they are annoyed

is a modern mild exclamation used as a polite substitute

Idioms

what the heck
  • Informal
90 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

heck of a
  • Informal
77 8.1

Very impressive or very difficult

9.1

A short shout people use to show surprise or mild annoyance

heck no
  • Informal
8.9

A strong way to refuse a suggestion or request

oh my heck
  • Informal
9.9

A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something

How Strong

damn
  • NSFW
6.7
hell
  • Informal
715 6.1
heck
  • Informal
422 7.5
gosh
  • Informal
553 6.4

Surface Forms

heck singular
hecks plural

Etymology

As a noun, heck comes from the same softened form of hell used to avoid swearing. That's why saying 'I don't give a heck' means you do not care, but in a less rude way.